Fowey in Cornwall

[Debster]

Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do/places to see within reasonable driving distance of Fowey in Cornwall?

We will be staying there in the middle of September and for the first half of the week there will be 4 adults and 4 children aged 9,7,3.5,2.5 and for the second half it will be just me, my partner and our 2.5 year old son. I'd like to visit the Eden Project and the beach if the weather is good but should English weather prevail what are the alternatives?

[Ems]

Well, Debster what can I say? Recently got back from there and had a BRILLIANT time, half sunny weather, half revolting. Are you staying at Fowey Hall by any chance?

1. Eden Project: Well worth the trip, but go EARLY, it gets SO SO busy. It opens at 10am, so if poss be there at about 9.30 onwards, big tiered car park, big wide path walk down to entrance. Buy your tickets BEFORE YOU GO, some hotels/tourist offices sell them. Then you can go straight in, as opposed to the biggest queue I have seen since Disney!

Good food in restaurants, salads, soups, baguettes, coffees, etc. Good loos. We went on a wet day and it was perfect. Lovely to see it now and then perhaps go back in a few years to see how all the planting has developed.

1. Monkey Sanctuary near Looe. Take Bodinnick car ferry from Fowey across to the other side. Little trip, about 14 woolly monkeys. Talks going on. We went to Looe first to see all the fish that were caught that morning and to see the boats, then over to Monkeys. Nice cafe at top level near Car Park, all organic simple things.

1. For very rainy days and for everyone is Kids Kingdom in St Austell. HUGE indoor play area, little section for littlies and a terrifying slides for the brave, bouncy castles, go-karts, restaurant, Beanie Baby shop. Was really good, and very quiet when we went on a Sunday.

1. Newquay, under an hour, we went there as it was a funny day weather wise. So when it rained we went in the Aquarium, just off the beach. Its new and very good, then when the sun come out, we went sandcastle building and rock pooling.

1. Polkerris beach is nearest to Fowey, follow road out to Par. Rock pools, a trampoline (?!), boats to look at, pub there (but I dont think kids can go in?!) also shop/snack place.

1. Take passenger boat to Polruan, mine loved this, looking at all the boats and tugs and every now and then MASSIVE cargo ships.

There are lots of other places, especially National Trust properties and gardens nearby. Hotels and Tourist Offices are FULL of leaflets.

Have a great time!

[Emmagee]

We just came back from Cornwall, locals said that the queues to get into the car parks at the Eden Project were awful. I would highly recommend the Lost Gardens of Heligan which we went to if you like gardens. Also a trip to St Ives which is beautiful, the beach infront of the Tate is emptier and less 'kiss me quick' than the town beach, but can be windier.

[Debster]

Thank you so much for your comments. You've both given me some excellent ideas. I especially like the thought of the Kids Kingdom which sounds perfect for the variously aged children we'll have. Thanks also for the tip re. Eden Project. Will probably do this bit when it's just the three of us as I think it might be too stressful with loads of kiddies. We're not staying in Fowey Hall, we've hired a cottage for the week. It sounds idyllic, detached, secluded farmhouse with gardens. Can't wait.

[Tom]

The Eden project is fascinating - it'll be much, much better in about 3-5 years when the outside gardens have grown more, but the tropical bioshpere is amazing.

We heard on the radio that there was a two mile queue as we were on our way, but it was reasonably fast moving, took us 45 minutes of waiting and then we were in. But actually, it was not crowded, a very pleasant day, and well worth the wait.

[Debster]

Well we're off to Fowey tomorrow - can't believe how quickly it's come round!

Anyway - just a quick question. Does anyone know of any restaurants/pubs in the area that are kid-friendly, especially in the early evenings?

Thanks
Debster

[Ems]

Debster, have a great time down there. Sorry cant help on restaurants, if we ate outside the hotel it was supermarket restaurants en-route from adventures!!